Difference between revisions of "Shattered Plains"

The '''Shattered Plains''' are a region of [[Roshar]] located on the border of the [[Frostlands]] and [[Unclaimed Hills]], formerlyin partthe former territory of the [[Silver Kingdoms|Silver Kingdom]] of [[Natanatan]].{{map ref|Alethkar}}{{book ref|sa1|19}} They are aptly named, asfor thetheir terraintopography, consisting of the Plains consists ofa huge numbersnumber of plateaus of various sizes, surrounded on all sides by deep chasms. It is unknown what caused the landscape to formbreak in this way, but during one of [[Kaladin]]'s dreamdreams in which he flew with a [[highstorm]], he saw the entire area as a symmetrical pattern, radiating outwards from the center as if something massive had struck there.{{book ref|sa1|46}}

{{image|WOKLB - Interior -The Shattered Plains by BryanNick Markvan TaylorKleef.jpg|side=rightleft|widthheight=350px300px|A view of the Shattered Plains}}

The edge of the Plains consistconsists of smaller plateaus with chasms ranging generally from 50 to 150 feet in depth. These westernmost plateaus can be bridged easily, and many permanent bridges have been constructed joining them together. Moving eastward, the Plains become much more varied in size and the chasms themselves can become much wider, making crossing from one to another much more challenging.{{book ref|sa1|12}} The eastern edge of the Shattered Plains areis so weathered by storms that theyit consistconsists mostly of spindly pillars of rock, making themit impassable.{{book ref|sa1|15}}{{book ref|sa1|43}}

It is noted that highstormsHighstorms are particularly bad on the Shattered Plains, garnering it this area of the worldmoniker 'the Stormlands',{{book ref|sa2|35}}, as there is no shelter on top of the plateaus, and the chasms often flood. The Plains are also on the eastern side of Roshar, where the highstorms are strongest. For these reasons, thegetting Plainscaught arein nota anhighstorm optimalon placethe toPlains experienceis a highstormdeath outdoorssentence.

Some accounts describe the Plains as looking as if something enormous had struck the center, causing the Plains fracturing Plains to radiate symmetrically in all directions. Claims of lights in the center plateau were the Parshendi live have also been recorded.{{book ref|sa1|46}}

The ruins of [[Stormseat]] are in the center of the Shattered Plains. The [[Oathgate]] is located there on a circular plateau.{{book ref|sa1sa2|83}} The Oathgate had been hidden underneath centuries of built -up [[crem]].{{book ref|sa3|12}} The city of Stormseat did not encompass the whole of the Shattered Plains, but had satellite cities and outbuildings.{{book ref|sa2|81}}

The area around, on, and in the Shattered Plains has a large variety of plants and animals., Thethe most dangerous beingof thewhich is its apex predatorspredator: Chasmfiendsthe chasmfiend. However, [[Shallan Davar]] believes the Alethi have hunted themchasmfiends nearnearly to extinction for their enormous [[gemheart]]s.{{book ref|sa3|50}}

The climate is moister than it is in the west. Plants have a tendency to not to pull into their shells as swiftly after a storm.{{book ref|sa1|23}} Clouds are less frequent; alternating between sun and highstorms.{{book ref|sa3|58}} Outside the warcamps, [[rockbud]]s, [[knobweed]],{{book ref|sa1|23}}, flowering [[branzah]],{{book ref|sa1|17}}, [[prickletac]],{{book ref|sa1|17}}, pink and purple [[fingermoss]],{{book ref|sa1|57}}, and other grasses are known to grow. Due to the harsh weather, the grasses near the Shattered Plains are typically yellow in color and only grow to 6-10 inches in height.{{book ref|sa3|5}}

During Shallan's travels to the Shattered Plains, she notices feral [[axehound]]s, small eels living in ponds, and white trees with red leaves.{{book ref|sa2|30}} There is also a small, tentacled, animal that lives in pools near the warcamps, called a [[grasper]].{{book ref|sa1|57}}

Within the chasms is a different environment all together. The chasms are more humid and damp than the rest of the Plains, with stagnant pools where [[cremling]] larvae grow.{{book ref|sa1|43}} [[Hasper]]s,{{book ref|sa1|11}}{{book ref|sa1|64}}, mosses, fungi, and [[frillbloom]]s{{book ref|sa1|49}}{{book ref|sa1|55}} all grow on the walls and in crevasses in the chasms. Translucent cremlings have been seen,{{book ref|sa1|27}}, along with larger carrion animals that are sensitive to light.{{book ref|sa1|43}}

{{for|:Category:Residents of Narak|a list of residents|here}}

TheDuring the War of Reckoning, the listeners resided in the ruins of Stormseat, which they call Narak, during the War of Reckoning. After the [[Battle of Narak]], the Alethi claimed the city for themselves. The homes of the listeners are now barracks, and a watchtower has been erected on the tower where 'the five' met.{{book ref|sa3|55}}

{{image|Warcamps.jpg|The Alethi warcamps on the verge of the Plains|side=rightleft|width=350px}}

{{for|:Category:Residents of the Alethi warcamps|a list of residents|here}}

The warcamps are each a mixture of Soulcast buildings, shanties, and tents that are taken down before each highstorm.{{book ref|sa1|17}} Each camp is self sufficient, with their own markets, taverns, brothels,{{book ref|sa1|26}}, and [[spanreed]] information stations to [[Tashikk]].{{book ref|sa1|47}} Most of the buildings are Soulcast using topaz.{{book ref|sa3|109}} The bunkers and barracks are typically long and narrow with a smaller end facing the highstorms to the east.{{book ref|sa3|23}}

:The barracks of this warcamp are organized into radials, with meeting areas, and mess halls, and at the center of each battalion.{{book ref|sa1|26}} These battalions then circle Dalinar's stone bunker complex and the living quarters of other ranking lighteyes and generals.{{book ref|sa2|5}} The Kholin warcamp has more bunker-like construction than other warcamps, as Dalinar wanted his soldiers to remember they were at war.{{book ref|sa3|50}}

Since the relocation from the Shattered Plains warcamps to Urithiru, ownership of the Plains and the Oathgate has become extremely important and strategic to the success and survival of the inhabitants of Urithiru. Urithiru is not self-supporting yet, and resources are required from the warcamps to supply the city. Farming operations have begun in the Unclaimed Hills,{{book ref|sa3|17}}, but due to the climate, rockbuds grow smaller and crops are less productive than in [[Alethkar]].{{book ref|sa3|50}} The [[Fused]] are harrying caravans traveling to the Oathgate.{{book ref|sa3|37}}